Is playtime valuable in the primary school - Essay Example

?Play Time Playtime is an important part of primary school as children are in developing phase and need physical activity for their overall growth. Every primary school has play time in their curriculum as it is valuable in school education. The playtime has physical,emotional,social, intellectual and influence on children. On physical level play time has all the significant benefits to offer to the growing children. As per NCB (2010) “A longer playtime would allow children to gain the most benefit from physical activity, as studies found that higher physical activity levels were associated with longer playtimes”. The play time also allow the children to fight obesity as they are more active. The physical activity increases the energy level of the children. The children who indulged in playtime can have increased bone and muscle strength and can have good health. The physical activity can increase the blood circulation which also helps in increased growth. The children are playful in young age and if they indulge in play time then they have increased interest in study time. The children cannot be weary of studies as play time can give them extra leisure time. As per Ridgers (2006) “Physical activity guidelines state that children should engage in atleast 1 hour of moderate intense physical activity once a day” Play time also has an important effect on the emotional health of the children. The play time revives the mental energy of the children as they can be increasingly happy and joyful after play hours. According to Entin (2011) “When children are in charge of their own play, it provides a foundation for their future mental health as older children and adults”. The children if do not get enough time to play then they can feel depressed and anxious. In childhood children are more interested in play rather than study. The emotional health of a child is highly depended upon their physical activity. The brain development of a child is largely based on their physical activity. A child gets the most mental satisfaction from play time and hence it is highly beneficial on emotional levels. The cognitive development of a child is also based on their play time hours. The play time is not only healthy for children but also helps in increased emotional, cognitive development and be more resilient and stress managers .The impact of play time on emotional development of children is greater than we think. The creativity, imaginative skill of a child increases with play time hours (Scott,2007). The play time also has effect on the social development of a child. The play time can give children many socializing skills. They can learn to co – operate, sharing and interacting. The children largely interact while they play and hence play time has a potential benefit on social development of children. As per Milteer(2012)“Play time is a natural tool which cans co – operate, overcome challenge and negotiate with others”. The increased physical activity can increase the personality of child not only in younger years but also in future life. They can be more adaptive too unpredictable circumstances due to play time experiences. The children who engage in play time can be more expressive and communicative. They can be more outward and socializing as they engage more with their peers and friends. The play time allows children to make choices as they engage in various plays and games which have intelligence and logical importance. According to Tomlin (2008) “Maturation and socialization develop during all stages of childhood through the use of play”. The play time allow children to be more aware and alert and can be more of practical and energetic. The social skills of person are based on the child’s exposure to other people of their age group. During play time the children can be more interacting with other children and this can make them more socializing person in future. As per Caldwell (2012) “A positive self concept which boosts children is also a benefit of play time in primary schools”. The play time benefits can be more understood by explaining the different theories of play. These theories are surplus energy theory, relaxation theory and preparation theory. The Surplus energy theory is put forward by Aristotle. According to this theory, it is explained that play time allows to spend the excess energy stored in a child. The theory suggest that all living being create enough energy to survive and any excess energy need to be spend by physical activity (Saracho,2003,pg.56).The theory says that human beings need to eliminate the excess energy. So according to this theory, play time is beneficial to children in primary school. The other theory called relaxation theory as the name suggests points out that play time relaxes children to a great level. As per Yee (2008) “Play replenishes energy for as yet unfamiliar cognitive activities of the child and reflects deep-rooted race habits -- phylogenetically acquired behaviors that are not therefore new to the organism. This theory is proposed Lazarus and Patrick and explains the relaxation benefits of play”. The theory of play is preparation theory. This theory sees play as a preparation for life. During play children imitate adults and this can give them experience towards future life. Many manufacturers sell house hold items, office items as toys which give preparation for life for children as they play with them (Ellis, 2009). These theories make us understand about the importance of play time at primary school. The children are in a tender and a vulnerable stage and every activity has a considerable influence on them. The major phase of childhood is spending in playing and hence plays time as a high value in primary school. As per Brockman (2010,pg.144-147) “Active play makes a significant contribution to health-enhancing physical activity of many primary school-aged children and therefore may be a valuable focus for future interventions”. The primary school children need the play time hours the most as it impact them in the entire right manner. Only study and no play can make children lethargic, depressed and monotonous. Even though play time is essential for primary school it can also have its bad sides. The play time provided by primary school can make children more playful which can reduce their seriousness towards study. The children can be more interested in play time and can ignore education. It also has the disadvantage of making the children more prone to fighting and aggression. Children while interacting with one another can indulge in fights and other problems. The dangers of play time can be cold weather, aggression, overcrowding and dangerous places (Barker ,2003 pg.207). Children also may be exposed to children of violent nature and can get hurt or bullied during play time. So there should be vigilance by educators while students are at play time. The play time is an important part of primary school and it is beneficial to children in all ways. The play time is an interactive period during the life of children so it is essential to understand its importance. During play time children gain many experience which can make their life better. Play time increases their health and also give them communicative ability, confidence and energy. Even the different theories proposed by experts suggest that play time is of high value in primary school curriculum. Even though play time hours exposes children to some dangers, it cannot be avoided in school. Bibliography Barker, Sandy, 2003. Children's Health In Primary Schools. 2nd ed. London: Falmer Press. Brockman, R, 2010. The contribution of active play to the physical activity of primary school children. Elsevier, 51/2, 144-147. Caldwell, B.M. 2012. Play and Social Development. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/playtime/parenting/articlesandadvice/articledetail.html?article=tcm:169-19855-16&parentcategory=playtime+%26+toys&subcategory=your+child's+toy+choices. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Ellis,M.J. 2009. Work & Play: Classic Theories. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.thehighcalling.org/blogs/ramblindan/work-play-classic-theories#.Urh1ORHxudQ. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Entin,E. 2011. All Work and No Play: Why Your Kids Are More Anxious, Depressed. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/10/all-work-and-no-play-why-your-kids-are-more-anxious-depressed/246422/. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Saracho, O.N, 2003. Contemporary Perspectives on Play in Early Childhood Education. 1st ed. Illinois: Information Age Publishing Co. Scott,E. 2007. Play Time for Healthy Child Development. [ONLINE] Available at: http://stress.about.com/od/parentingskills/a/play.htm. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Milteer, R.M, 2012. The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond: Focus on Children in Poverty. Pediatrics, 129/1, 204-213. NCB. 2010. The Benefits of School Playtime. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ncb.org.uk/m edia/124800/factsheet15_benefits_playtime_cpis_011210.pdf. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Ridgers, N.D, 2006. Physical Activity Levels of Children During School Playtime. Sports Med, 36/4, 359-371. Tomlin. C. 2008. Promoting Social Development Through Play. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=620. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Yee, C. 2008. Play theories classic and contemporary. [ONLINE] Available at: http://casadelbambino.blogspot.com/2008/04/play-theories-classical-contemporary.html. [Accessed 22 December 13]. Read More